The Space Race

Sputnik 1

Oct 4, 1957

First satellite to orbit the Earth. Made by the USSR
https://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_924.html

First Animal in Space - Laika

Nov 3, 1957

A USSR dog sent into space and died on the same day. The first animal sent into space. Sent into space with Sputnik 2.
https://www.space.com/17764-laika-first-animals-in-space.html

Explorer 1

Jan 31, 1958

First United States satellite
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/explorer/explorer-overview.html

First Human in Space - Yuri Gagarin

Apr 12, 1961

First human in space. Manned the Vostok 1. USSR.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-man-in-space#:~:text=On%20April%2012%2C%201961%2C%20aboard,space%20capsule%20in%2089%20minutes.

First American in Space - Alan Shepard

May 5, 1961

Part of Apollo 14 and Mercury-Redstone 3. Second human in space. First American to go to space.
https://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/60-years-ago-alan-shepard-becomes-the-first-american-in-space#:~:text=On%20May%205%2C%201961%2C%20Alan,the%20end%20of%20the%20decade.

Gemini V

Period: Aug 21, 1965 to Aug 29, 1965

First week-long mission. The first use of fuel cells. Tested guidance and navigation systems for future missions. 120 orbits. Longest Gemini.
https://www.nasa.gov/feature/gemini-v-paving-the-way-for-long-duration-spaceflight

Apollo 1

Feb 27, 1967

Apollo 1 was planned to happen on February 21, 1967. Was destroyed during a test on January 27, 1967.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/missions/apollo1.html

Apollo 11

Period: Jul 16, 1969 to Jul 24, 1969

First person landed on the Moon. Neil Armstrong + Buzz Aldrin.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/missions/apollo11.html